How To Build A Bookcase In 8 Simple Steps
If you’re like most book lovers, you have probably wondered how to build a bookcase.
>> Discover How To Build A Bookcase Step By Step
Housing a collection of books can get pretty expensive if you’re just buying a new bookcase each time you fill one, so learning how to build a bookcase can be a real money saver. Here, in eight simple steps, we’ll talk about an easy way to learn how to build a bookcase.
How To Build A Bookcase In 8 Quick Steps
- Step One: Measure your area
When learning how to build a bookcase, choose a location for your bookcase first. Once you have done this, then you can go on to decide how to build a bookcase that best suits your needs. Make a simple drawing of the bookcase, and as you measure the area, simply jot down the measurements in the correct places.
- Step Two: Get your materials.
Now that you have those measurements, you can cut each part of the bookcase. Using ¾ inches birch plywood, (This usually comes in handy 4 x 8 sheets) cut the interior shelves, top and sides with a table saw. At this point, you needn’t worry about getting the exact height and length.
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- Step Three: Cut wood to length.
The next step in how to build a bookcase is to bring the top and side panels, along with the interior shelves to a miter saw. Cut them to the exact lengths you need. Using a miter saw is better for this project as it makes cleaner, more controlled cuts and works much better on smaller sections of wood. You can make the desired cuts with a table saw if it turns out the bookcase you want to make is going to require larger dimensions, but you’ll want to take care to make very clean cuts.
- Step Four: Make your marks.
You’re going to need to rabbit the two side panels in your fame using a router. This will help to make the shelves more supportive of greater weights. Before you do this, lay each panel side by side, and screw a scrap board across both ends. This will enable you to make your lines perfectly flush on each side panel so that they are level. Make another 3/4″ strip where each shelf is going to go- but try to keep each shelf about 16″ apart.
- Step Five: Now, Onto Rabbitting
Once you have your grooves marked, you can then router each one. This will make your rabbit joints for that added strength. Using a level, you can guide your router effectively for precision. Having a straight guide is best, as a router can be difficult to maintain control of and you want these lines to be very straight and clean.
- Step Six: Putting it all together.
The next step in how to build a bookcase, is actually building the bookcase itself. Using wood glue and finishing nails, connect the top and two sides. Put in each shelf by applying wood glue to the rabbit joints. Simply slide your shelves in, and then, add finishing nails to hold them in place. For hanging units, you will want to first glue a 2 inch strip of wood to the back top edge, and follow with finishing nails. This will create a cleat that is flush with the back to enable you to wall mount the unit.
- Step Seven: Best Face forward.
You should have a fully assembled bookcase in front of you, but it’s going to look a little rough. You will now want to cover the plywood edging with a prettier wood. Poplar is recommended- simply cut the dimensions the same measurements as your exterior panels. Using 45 degree angle cuts, join each angle for a cleaner, neater appearance. Apply wood glue to the framing, and complete the attachment with finishing nails.
- Step Eight: Dress it up.
At this point, you need to give the wood glue time to dry. Twenty four to forty eight hours is usually best. Sand the bookcase smoothly, and then you can fill each of the nail-marks with wood putty. You’ll want to ensure that the wood putty you choose is stainable or paintable. Wipe the bookcase down with tack cloth, and then you can paint and stain your bookcase any color of your choosing. It isn’t as complex learning how to build a bookcase as some may think, and doing this, you can create simple but beautiful shelves to house your book collection.
How To Build A Bookcase
All things considered, building a bookcase is actually a quite enjoyable experience. Not ready to get started yet? Learn more about how to build a bookshelf here.
